Drain pipe cleaning composition



Patented Dec. 5, 1933 UNITED STATES DRAIN PIPE CLEANING COMPOSITION Oliver W. Hunter, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of one-half to Robert A. Northcott, Los Angeles,

Calif.

N Drawing. Application December 8, 1930 Serial No. 500,869

3 Claims. ('01. s7-5) This invention relates to Solvents and more particula'rly pertains to that class of solvents which are employed in the cleaning of drain pipes in plumbing systems. a

i Solvents of the above character ordinarily are composed of a caustic alkali such as NaOH or KOI-I with which is intermixed particles of aluminum usually in the form of shavings. Shavings, or similar particles have substantial size, as distinguished from pulverulent metal. In use, a quantity of such a solvent is deposited in a drain pipe where it is subjected to the action of water resulting in a rapid and violent chemical reaction between the caustic and the aluminum and the consequent generation of heat and the formation and liberation of gases. The caustic liquid plus the heat and the violent agitation of the liquid during the chemical reactions set up therein renders the solvent highly eflicient in opening Dartially or completely clogged drain pipes. However, with most of the compositions of this type heretofore on the market, the gaseous fumes liberated as a result of the chemical reaction of the caustic and aluminum ingredients in water are S noxious and highly irritating to the mucous membranes, and may even be lethal in character, which renders their use both disagreeable and dangerous; it being at least painful to persons remaining in the presence of and inhaling such fumes. It is therefore common practice in employing caustic preparations for persons to avoid inhaling the fumes and frequently necessitates their remaining out of rooms in which the solvent is used'until the fumes have become completely dissipated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a solvent or the above character in which the fumes are rendered non-irritating and nonpoisonous.

40 Another object is to also render the fumes aromatic and consequently pleasing to the sense of smell.

Another object is to provide a solvent of the above character which when subjected to the action of water will undergo a greater agitation and create a greater volume of gases and consequent mass of foam than is effected by solvents of this type now generally in use.

The invention is carried into effect by incorporating into a composition containing caustic alkali and aluminum particles of the character specified, an aromatic organic substance of 'such character as to efiect a reaction during the chemi-v formation of non-poisonous and non-irritating fumes.

For this purpose various aromatic organic substances maybe employed but which are essentially composed of vegetable matter prepared in a dry, granular, comminuted or pulverulent form.

In preparing the solvent a dry granular or flaked caustic soda, aluminum particles (as described above), and dry finely divided aromatic organic materials are intermixed in desired proportions. The proportions of the several ingredients are subject to considerable variation, but highly satisfactory results are obtained by employing the following proportions by weight and which proportions are preferably used:

Caustic soda one pound Aluminum particles one-half ounce Aromatic organic particles one-half to one ounce.

The several ingredients are intermixed dry and are suitably packaged to exclude moisture. The aromatic organic substance preferably employed comprises powdered spices, such for example as ginger, cinnamon, cloves and the like, which spices may be used separately or in various combinations.

By adding the aromatic organic matter of the kinds above specified to the caustic soda and aluminum, the chemical reactions set up on mixing the ingredients with water results in the ebullition or agitation and resultant foaming of the liquid being greatly augmented, and the volume of generated gases greatly increased, thereby increasing the eifectiveness of the solvent in its action in cleaning out drain pipes, traps and the like; the ebullition and foaming imparting an effective physical aid to the solvent and heat actions on accumulations within a drain pipe or trap thereby quickening the action of the material in removing such accumulations.

An important result attained by the employment of the aromatic organic ingredient resides in the fact that the irritating, noxious and lethal fumes' ordinarily resulting from the'reaction of 109 the caustic or aluminum willbe rendered nonirritating, inoffensive to the sense of smell and non-poisonous, due no doubt to a direct chemical union of such undesirable gases with products evolved by the action of the caustic or the fumes 195 on the organic substances.

It may be noted that the whole subject of the composition of the gases is greatly influenced by the fact that the caustic alkali and aluminum used are of commercial grade (not chemically pure) and furthermore the action takes place in dirty water in a drain pipe where considerable amounts of grease or filth of one sort or another, and usually of a rather hetrogeneous character, have accumulated. Caustic alkali reacting on alumi num liberates hydrogen, and this, while in the nascent state probably reacts on some of the substances present in the accumulated filth and on impurities in the substances, producing various substances, some of which are extremely irritating to the mucus membranes, and may be poisonous in character.

The exact constituents of the gaseous fumes resulting from the use of the aromatic organic ingredient are unknown, and are difficult of determination because the chemical reactions between the organic and inorganic elements are highly complex, and will vary according to the particular characteristics of the organic substance employed or present.

However, experience has shown in practical use of the improved solvent as above set forth, that the resulting gases or fumes are non-irritating to the mucus membranes, are not offensive to the sense of smell, and are non-lethal; and by employing a spiced or aromatic organic substance the gases or fumes are rendered quite pleasant and agreeableto the sense of smell. It is probable that by reason of greatly increased foaming and ebullition resulting from the admixture of the solvent with water, the dissipation, absorption or destruction of the noxious gases or fumes is facilitated by reason of a greatly increased volume of foam and a consequent increase in the area of the films encompassing the gaseous fumes before liberation thereof.

Heretofore increased foaming of compositions of this character has been accomplished by addition of an inherently foam or froth producing substance to the caustic soda and aluminum particles, such as saponaceous substances, soap, glue and the like, or inherently eifervescing substances such as, citric acid and sodium bicarbonate.

By the present invention the use of such substances is dispensed with and the desired results are attained by the use of an inherently nonfoam-producing and non-saponaceous substance, which, when acted on by the caustic soda, will result in the formation of non-irritating fumes.

In using a solvent formed in accordance with this invention it is unnecessary for persons to avoid the resultant fumes as one may inhale such fumes close to the point of liberation thereof without discomfort or suffering any ill effects therefrom.

I claim:

1. A drain pipe cleaning composition comprising caustic alkali and aluminum particles and a powdered spice.

2. A drain pipe cleaning composition comprising Caustic alkali one pound Aluminum particles about one ounce Powdered spice about one-half to one ounce.

3. A drain pipe cleaning composition comprising caustic alkali, aluminum particles, and free particles of aromatic vegetable matter intermixed in a dry state, said particles of vegetable matter being in such proportions relative to the caustic alkali and aluminum particles that on subjecting the composition to the action of water the liberated fumes will be rendered fragrant and non-irritating.

OLIVER W. HUNTER. 

